Pain killer abuse/addiction in California
(Prevalence, frequency, history, incarcerations etc....)

People suffering from chronic pain use painkillers to curb their pain, but unfortunately nowadays the drugs are abused more than ever before. Painkiller addiction is a very common problem and it starts without one’s knowledge. Two million Americans consume painkillers for some reason or the other and according to survey reports painkillers are used illegally by over 9 percent of the population. Painkiller addiction generally starts with people consuming painkiller tablets in case of accidents or injury or illness and these drugs are often treated with prescription narcotics. Regular usage of any medicine gets a person addicted to it. This is a decade of awareness and pain management, the prime criteria for the public as well as the doctors. Painkiller abuse has increased rapidly and the number of deaths due to opiate consumption has been increasing.

History-During the past few years many doctors have found new techniques to handle and relive patients suffering from intolerable pain like that associated with Cancer. Since 1996, painkiller sales have tripled and for some it has turned out to be a blessing, whereas for some – a nightmare. California State is not yet relieved from painkiller abuse and addiction. People generally give in to any chronic pain like for example pain created by migraine that tends to worsen as day passes without medicine and then life becomes excruciating. But with a painkiller, the pain reduces but the individual gets addicted to it as this is the devastating side effect of painkiller. The patient, without realizing, keeps consuming the painkiller to find relief and thus begins the vicious trap of addiction. People tend to get so addicted to painkillers that they cannot survive without them and they start increasing the doses or commit fraud to avail of them.

Prevalence- People have started understanding painkiller abuse, which had caught public observation when some Hollywood stars openly acknowledged or suffering from painkiller abuse or addiction. Experts have always suggested, “When millions get entrapped, it should be considered as a public health issue”. Drugs like opioids that are often prescribed, as painkillers cause severe health issues. Over the past 15 years, opioid drug sales have increased enormously and the death rate has increased too. In 2004, 16,000 people in USA died due to overdose and painkiller abuse and most of these deaths were caused due to overdose of opioids, heroin and cocaine. This situation seems to keep accelerating and the death rate keeps rising constantly by 5.3% every year.

Frequency- Painkiller addiction occurs when individuals consume them more than the normal prescribed dosage. Methadone was originally one of the stand-in painkillers produced by chemists during World War II in Germany. This painkiller drug has pain relieving capacity that is similar to morphine. Painkillers slow the respiratory system. Many California rehab centers treat painkillers abused patients.

Incarcerations- Painkiller abuse ruins life; hence one should avoid it and adapt healthy living habits to live normal life. Drug treatment helps an addicted individual lead a normal drug free life. There are effective drug abuse addiction treatments programs that cater to the needs of society. Addiction is an unremitting disorder. Final goal for this treatment is long-term self-denial and it often requires constant and recurring treatment.

For additional information on addiction treatment or the drug Suboxone,
Call now 1-888-Suboxone or 1-888-782-6966



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Information on this page last updated on 06/10/2007